MILES BLANKENSHIP, 87 years of age of the Davis Fork section of Hurley, VA, passed away Monday, June 1, 2009 at his home following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Linco and Nancy Cooper Blankenship. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a member of the New Zion Freewill Baptist Church. Mr. Blankenship served in the United States Army in the European Theatre during World War II and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and was a Retired Coal Miner having worked at Virginia Pocahontas #1.

Mr. Blankenship is survived by his wife of 63-Years: Thelma Stacy Blankenship, Hurley, VA, 3-Daughters: Bulah and husband Larry Crouse, Grundy, VA, Brenda and husband Thomas Sykes, Orlando, FL, Orpha Marie Blankenship, Hurley, VA, 1-Sister: Millie Mae Hall, Abingdon, VA, 1-Special Nephew: Virgus Blankenship, Abingdon, VA, 3-Grandchildren: Michael and wife Dawn Crouse, Knoxville, TN, Todd and wife Virginia Sykes, Orlando, FL, Natalie Sykes, Orlando, FL, 4-Great-Grandchildren: Elizabeth Crouse, Knoxville, TN, James Crouse, Knoxville, TN, Miles Crouse, Knoxville, TN, Connor Sykes, Orlando, FL

Also, survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by 2-Sisters: Ollie Ward and Mary McClanahan; and 4-Brothers: Willie, Clell, Arthur and Jim Blankenship.

Funeral Services for MILES BLANKENSHIP will be conducted Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Mike Rife and Minister E.C. Honaker officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 P.M. with services at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Michael Crouse, Todd Sykes, Joe Hall, Tim Potter, Ray Blankenship, Miles Edward Blankenship, Gerald Blankenship and Ronnie Blankenship.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Eugene Whited, Sherry Blankenship, Lucille Charles, James Crouse, Miles Crouse, Elizabeth Crouse, Natalie Sykes, Dr. Clint Sutherland, 4^th Floor Buchanan General Hospital Nursing Staff, and the Employees of Total Home Care Hospice. 

Full Military Rites will be conducted at the Cemetery by members of the Childs Gentry Post #7360 of the Veterans of Foreign War. 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.